STOCKTON, Calif. — Millions of federal dollars are on the way to fund a major expansion project at Stockton's St. Joseph’s Medical Center, Democrat Congressman Josh Harder announced Thursday.
Harder secured a $4 million federal grant for the hospital to expand its Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) and Pediatric Unit.
“As a dad to an 18-month-old I know how scary and frustrating it can be to struggle to get an appointment when your little one is sick,” Harder said in a statement. “Expanding St. Joseph’s NICU and Pediatric Unit will make it easier for expectant moms and kids to get the care they need right here in our community. We fought hard to get this money, and I can’t think of a better investment than the health and well-being of our kids.”
Harder and hospital officials are hoping the expansion and improvements will help curb San Joaquin County's fetal and infant mortality rates. According to the County's Department of Public Health Services, the county's rate of infant and fetal mortality is higher than the average in California.
"St. Joseph's Medical Center is honored to be a $4 million Community Program Funding grant recipient, which will aid our upcoming pediatric unit expansion," Donald Wiley, president of St. Joseph's Medical Center said in a statement. "The investment from CPF will drastically improve the health of San Joaquin Valley's children with state-of-the-art technology, allowing closer access to care for families in the local community."
The expansion will allow the hospital to serve more infants and offer more specialized services for preterm babies and those with critical medical conditions.
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